To Show What Learned

The back of your neck prickles with the sense of many watching eyes as Gurashi, riding Bizirik, the leothin, enters from the ether.
Bizirik slinks in from the ether, clicking and thrumming softly.

Gurashi stumbles forward, then straightens - then promptly bows as much as he can without falling over.

Rising quickly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe exclaims to you, "Many apologies for wait...!"

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at you.

Gurashi smiles weakly.

You have emoted: Lief bobs in the air, bowing her antlered head toward Gurashi in turn. She shows her hands when she rises, which are empty, though her lute is strapped to her back between her dragonfly wings.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Oh."

Gurashi ceases to wield a subtle violin of dark hues in his left hand.

Sheepishly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Right."

You begin to follow Gurashi.

Gurashi nods his head at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Am going to take to home, now. Is safe place - am promising."

Gurashi nods his head at you.

You follow Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe to A chilling, forestal curiosities room.

A pert little nose takes in a delicate whiff of your surroundings, sensing the faint traces of others in the nearby area.
Gurashi: ?               A chilling, forestal curiosities room

A chilling, forestal curiosities room.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The first discernible sensation upon entering this room is a mixture of earthy smells; mulch, petrichor, decaying wood, and the heady scent of Wyrden roses saturate the air. As one's eyes adjust to the darkness, barely abated by shadowflame sconces hung on the walls, tall figures begin to emerge. Expansive shelves carved to look like tree trunks seem to grow out of the floor and reach clear to the ceiling. The moss-green rug has been cut to fit neatly between each root and around each curve, giving the illusion of springy turf underfoot. Gently glowing fungi, which seem to be growing out of the shelves at random, make it just possible to see their contents. On one shelf, a scorched dragonturtle shell and a dried starfish sit beside a glistening glasswork recreation of a pile of salmon roe. On another, a pair of arrows with heart-shaped heads are arranged with one crossed over the other, and a scented love-letter lies on top of them. Other shelves are crammed with an increasingly peculiar assortment of knickknacks: an ice pick, a tiny red stone, a dusty brown bottle with "Alchywhole" written in a barely legible script, a cuddly stuffed Tae'dae bear, a miniature rockeater figurine, an ornate ivory pipe, a pile of glittering Czigany coins, and a charm bracelet that looks to be of Fae origin. One rather macabre shelf holds a coiled slave master's whip and a skull that appears to have belonged to a Krokani before it made its way here. Still other shelves lie bare, waiting to be filled with more mementos of adventure to come, and in the corner of one of them a tiny black spider has made its web. Soft, thick carpet covers the ground here, a deep mossy green in hue. A painting of Gurashi's Staring Contest is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A painting of blackthorn thicket has been thrown on the ground here. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. A water elemental churns here, crystal blue waters enveloped in a gentle mist. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading north and south.

Gurashi shakes off his legs one at a time as he steps in through the portal, taking Weeky Pedia's magical tome and setting it on the nearby table. "Eh .... welcome." He gestures around with a blink.

You have emoted: Lief sways in midair as she trails after Gurashi, peering about herself uncertainly. Her nose takes another whiff of the air again, and then she puts her hand to her head. Her gray eyes settle soon on one bookshelf - the macabre one, naturally - where it then lingers, she herself hovering near the exit to the aetherplex.

An ethereal cat makes a plaintive meow, looking pitiable.

Gurashi removes his hat, turning about to look at the shelf holding your attention. "Ah ... yeah, quest rewards that collected over years - was Ishra's idea." He chirrs softly, turning back towards the open doorway to the south. "Was actually going to be shop in beginning!"

Gurashi reaches down to pet the whining cat soothingly, watching it snort in indifference and eventually wander away.

With a twitch of his tail, an ethereal cat romps off to the north.

You have emoted: "Ah - I see," Lief says faintly, bobbing slowly in the air. She casts her gaze about herself after another moment, once more piercing into the shadows and the darkness permeating this location. "Is this in particular where, ah...where you wanted to talk?"

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Gurashi steps aside to hang his backpack on a standing rack near the wall. "Ah, the patio right!" He gestures towards the southern doorway. "Patio is out back. Kitchen is to right, garden beyond." He wanders towards the doorway, absently carrying on. "Please, ignore the cats. Thought was doing favor by bringing home, now are running the place."

A flash of emerald from the north announces the entry of an ethereal cat.

You follow Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe south to A charming patio overlooking
oblivion.

With a flourish of his hand, Gurashi gestures at the empty air.

A flash of emerald from the northwest announces the entry of an ethereal cat.

Moving to the opposite of the table from you, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Is no door to impede. If want to leave, portal is straight back where came from."

As nightfall steals the last vestiges of daylight, a slender leothin's muted coat begins to shine with a violaceous radiance, and a double pair of wings materializes, grandly extended as if they've been there all along.

A charming patio overlooking oblivion.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. From outside the door, both stories of this timber-framed, two-story building are visible. Gnarled, blackened trunks bow out at the corners, and ivy creeps up each exterior wall, giving the structure a rounded, organic look. The roof is steeply pitched and shingled in mossy cedar, save for the rounded upstairs windows that peek out like a pair of sleepy eyes. A flagstone patio extends out from the facade for several feet, before coming to an abrupt end at the edge of the bubble, beyond which only the churning, stygian nothingness of aetherspace is visible. A narrow footpath curls around the side of the building. Beneath it, hard-packed dirt and stringy grass roots give way to the emptiness below. A large, lacquered, lyrebird tea table fills the room with wyrden grace and the solemnity of society tea. There are 4 moss-covered stump chairs here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. There are 2 iridescent peacock cookies here. There are 2 green absinthe cup cake with bumblebee motifs here. There are 2 platters of smiling bees here. A vision of fragility rendered in sun-blanched magnolia hues, a tea bottle of stained glass has been set here. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. Surrounded by a faint, emerald halo, an ethereal cat romps playfully about the area. A water elemental churns here, crystal blue waters enveloped in a gentle mist.
You see exits leading north and northwest.

Bizirik, the leothin thrums noisily, trotting in a tight circle of glee before darting off towards the kitchen.

Gurashi steps down off of Bizirik, the leothin.

With a playful chirr, Bizirik turns sharply and scampers off to the north.

You have emoted: To the contrary, Lief dips down as a cat roams by, offering her hand for it tosniff, and then rub its cheek against. "Thank you," she murmurs. "I appreciate the light a bit more here, too." She is silent, stroking the cat, her legs tucked beneath her to keep her feet from touching the ground.

With a twitch of his tail, an ethereal cat romps off to the north.

Taking seat opposite the door, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Uh, made food if get hungry. Figure would be safe with desserts. Everybody likes desserts."

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs.

You have emoted: As the cat saunters away from her, Lief looks up again at Gurashi. She pats her kimono robe's sash where the smallest of bulges can be seen, and she says, "I still have your cookie here. I...haven't brought anything but myself, though."

Gurashi shrugs awkwardly. "Is O-K. Am always bringing foodstuffs because am always baking foodstuffs..." He trails off, staring at the center of the table.

You have emoted: Lief glances toward a lacquered lyrebird tea table displaying wyrden culture, then rises in the air. She glances toward another chair, her expression uncertain, then makes one concession by hovering next to it, bobbing gently in the air. "You wanted to talk," she says softly, peering into Gurashi's large eyes.

Gurashi laces his hands together, twiddling his thumbs. "...well, yes. Mostly. Think -have- to." He explains slowly, raising one hand, then dropping his elbow to the table and resting his chin on his closed fist. "...ahh, am having thing, where have great idea and speech prepared in head and is great sounding, and then moment comes, and can't even remember name."

Gurashi lets out a sudden chittering laugh.

You have emoted: Lief listens to Gurashi, bobbing in the air, quiet while Gurashi's words come. Her hands clasp together over her lap, and she tilts her antlered head slightly in answer to Gurashi's laugh. "Are you intimidated?" she asks suddenly. A strange question, perhaps - she is maybe half the kephera's height at best, and much more slight than him.

Gurashi looks up sharply, blinking once. "In-timidated??" He boggles, then laughs again. "No! Just..."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Am not great at being ...tough and 'listen-to-me'-able."

You have emoted: Lief's head remains tilted, listening, studying. "Why do you feel the need to be tough like this?"

Gurashi blinks.

With a little laugh, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks, "...am macho bug?"

Gurashi flexes his muscles in an impressive display of strength.

Gurashi strikes a pose.

Gurashi seems to sparkle, if only for a split second.

You have emoted: Despite herself, Lief's eyes twinkle for but an instant, and then the humor fades. She leans forward a bit, though her wings otherwise keep her roughly stationery in the air opposite Gurashi. "It's okay to simply be yourself, Gurashi. You needn't be hard edges and demands if you are not hard edges and demands."

Gurashi squints, staring off into space for a time before shaking his head. "Am self. Is fine - many thank yous for concern."

Suddenly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Please, do not call my home its improper name... is not nice."

Quickly correcting himself, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "The... forest, not ... manse."

Gurashi's eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across his face.

You have emoted: Lief's gentleness furrows with a small frown as she continues to watch Gurashi. "I don't understand," she finally says, after contemplating Gurashi's request. "Is your commune not proud of its heritage, from where it rose...?"

Gurashi leans forward on his elbow, bewildered. "Of course are proud. But are -not that- anymore. Is called 'Glomdoring'. Not, 'former-Gloriana', or 'fallen-Gloriana'... -Glomdoring-..."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Is like if called Serenwilde 'Current Serenwilde forest' ... but was rude about?"

Gurashi lets out a sudden chittering laugh.

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs.

You have emoted: "We *do* have many names for Serenwilde," Lief says, relinquishing her hold on her hands to tap her freckled cheek. "We are the First Forest, the Last Forest, the Winter Court. Gloriana was renowned for its beauty - it was the most beautiful place in all the Basin, to hear and read of it and its stories."

Gurashi blinks.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe whispers, "Is a lot of names."

You have emoted: Lief leans her cheek into her fingers, her gray eyes colourless, watching Gurashi. "You do not celebrate your Forest's heritage with other names, then?"

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...n-no!"

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

Mandibles clicking quickly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Just ... am asking nicely, that call it Glomdoring when talk about in modern-day sense, because, is what is now."

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs.

Gurashi stares down at his hands, wringing them together anxiously.

You have emoted: Lief exhales, then bows her antlered head. "I wish to remember and honour Gloriana's memory. I cannot promise to cease calling its memory forth." She looks up. "I will do my best to abstain around you, though, with one condition."

Gurashi stares implacably at you.

Gurashi tilts his head slightly, staring intently, fists clenched.

Argent moonlight pierces the blue glow of the Flame of dae'Seren upon you, enshrouding you momentarily in a silver mantle.

You have emoted: Lief meets Gurashi's tension with its absence. She lowers her hand from her cheek and once more cups it over the back of her other hand as she hovers, bobbing, her dragonfly wings a faint, persistent hum. "Will you hear my wish for you in turn?"

Gurashi slowly relaxes his shoulders. "Mean, of course."

You have emoted: "I don't want my silence to help you silence what troubles you." Lief peers at Gurashi's face intently, winging nearer to him, hovering around the table filled treats. "I don't want you to ignore the inner voice within yourself. The voice which sees with clear eyes and hears with open ears. If you must silence me, then please listen to what is within you."

You have emoted: "That is my condition," Lief says softly, facing Gurashi's side, within arm's reach and no closer.

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi tentatively reaches up with his smaller right hand, and with just enough reach boops you proper on the nose, ushering you a few inches further away. "Silence you? What mean?" He asks, totally puzzled.

You have emoted: Lief wrinkles her nose and rubs at it. "That is what you wish to do," she murmurs as she does. "I do not call it 'fallen Gloriana' to insult you, but to remember. To be certain memory isn't buried."

Shadows swirl around Gurashi's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around his hand.

Urgently, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "But at certain point, have to stop looking -back-, and have to start looking for -now-...!"

From behind her hand, you ask Gurashi, "Why can't you do both at once?"

Gesturing with great passion, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Is Glomdoring - now - just as is Serenwilde, now. Today. After everything that has gone through, is -Glomdoring-. Now."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Are taught that should not dwell on past - should learn lesson from what happen, accept that happen, accept whatever pains and joys, and move past and do better.."

Gurashi looks down at the cat staring up at him, reaching out to offer a gentle pet.

Gurashi pets an ethereal cat ingratiatingly.
An ethereal cat stares at Gurashi with unblinking eyes, a look of contempt across his face.

You have emoted: Slowly, Lief lowers her hand and watches Gurashi. She is silent for a long time, sorrow tugging at her features, pulling her lips down and drawing her brows similarly along. And then she asks, her voice quiet, "Is this truly what is taught? You do not carry your emotions with you and remember them as you live?"

Gurashi shyly laces his hands together again, twiddling his thumbs. "Mean, yeah. And, is not that do not carry emotions. Can still feel what felt. Are not Soulless. Just... dwelling on things is -bad-. For bodies and souls." He reaches up with his smaller right hand, tapping his chest.

You have emoted: "What about joy?" Lief whispers.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "The history of Glomdoring is long, and is painful, and not always pleasant. And, is O-K, because is why are the way that are to-day. Which is strong, and happy, and -healthy-..." He suddenly looks bereft. "...mostly, healthy..."

Gurashi's mandibles twitch slightly as he voices a brief, curious chirr.

You have emoted: Lief listens to Gurashi, her own expression pained and quiet. Her hand reaches up to her chest, touching her heart; if she agrees, or disagrees, she does not give her thoughts audible voice. But she waits.

You think to yourself: Glomdoring. Happy. That doesn't sound right...it doesn't sound right in the slightest.

Ilistala emerges from the shadows, curiously looking around.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard rubs up against Gurashi, purring like a cat.

Ilistala melds into the shadows, quickly disappearing from view.

Gurashi's eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across his face.

Gurashi starts to stand, then sits, then stares at the cupcake in front of him on the table. With awkward movements, he reaches out to pull it towards him, unwrapping it, and plucking off one of the bees to eat. He swallows, stares blankly ahead of him. "Am worried, about Lord Nocht. And decided to self, that would go to source of what is hurting Him so badly." He stares intently at you, looking less unsure.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe mutters, "Ishra ..uld know ... to phras. this, h...."

You have emoted: At the mention of Nocht, some tension finally finds its way into Lief's bobbing form. She glances about herself warily, then slowly, purposefully relaxes, though not without rubbing at her temple briefly. "I did not hurt Him," she says - insists, really.

Gurashi blinks.

Insistantly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Oh - know did not - meant, are close to Lady of Serenity ..."

A faint sensation touches your mind - a pinprick in your thoughts.

Fumbling, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Was ... going to show all the nice things, about Glomdoring. So that would listen and think 'wowee Glomdoring isn't so bad'. All its many wonders worth protecting. S-so that would ask Your Lady to fix Him."

Gurashi blushes furiously.

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs.

You have emoted: Lief's eyes steadily watch Gurashi, as though perhaps trying to read his thoughts. Again, she lifts her hand, rubbing at her head briefly.

You think to yourself: ...but a memory.

Gurashi stares implacably at you.

Bewildered, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Didn't They used to be friends?"

It is now the 2nd of Juliary, 542 years after the Coming of Estarra.

Lowering her hand slowly, her voice soft, for the moment not answering, you say to Gurashi, "...How were you planning to show me these things?"

Gurashi blinks.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "By bringing to? Like, here in manse."

Gurashi's mandibles twitch slightly as he voices a brief, curious chirr.

Gurashi glances about alertly, his antennae twitching as he scans the immediate area.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "...what is?"

Gurashi blinks.

You have emoted: As Gurashi looks around, Lief jolts in place, peering about herself as well. "What is what?" she whispers to Gurashi, words carrying the faintest of edges, like the very tip of a thorn.

Squinting, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "No - what is wrong? Are full of wasps can tell."

You have emoted: Lief's eyes continue to scan the shadowy trunks and nooks created by the vines and walls for several moments, perhaps not trusting Gurashi. Relenting after a time, she turns back to face him. "Just a memory," she says. "It was nothing."

Gurashi's mandibles twitch slightly as he voices a brief, curious chirr.

You have emoted: Lief gives her antlered head another shake, then peers at Gurashi again before softening. "I've been spending much of my time in meditation," she says, her words slow and soft. "I've been thinking quite a bit about the Wyrd. I am told things that cannot be reconciled with what I see, you see - and I must trust myself and mine own eyes."

Gurashi creases his brow in a frown.

In disbelief, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "...is ... it?"

You ask Gurashi, "Is...what it?"

Tilting his head, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Someone told that 'could not be reconciled', so just know not everything and make judgement?"

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Or is what -you- are believing?"

Gurashi boggles at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "M-many apologies for asking so boldly, but, am in bit of pickle here."

You have emoted: Lief holds up both her hands, making calming gestures as she shakes her antlered head. "No, I appreciate the boldness. Questions are how we learn. Your Lord once reached out to my Lady with a question, and that is how They met." She pauses, pressing her lips together, then asks, "Will you allow me to explain?"

Gurashi lets out a little huff before sitting back down, legs shuffling beneath the table. "Of course."

You have emoted: Relieved, Lief nods, then folds her hands together again, a charm bracelet of prismatic crystal orchids chiming quietly with the motion. "I only mean to say...well. The thing which stands out strongest in my mind is when I am told that your people are free in service to the Wyrd. When I say 'cannot be reconciled', I mean...what I see is not freedom to decide how to act and what to say, not like we have in the Serenwilde. I am told I am not free, but I have no chains holding me down. No shadows bind me in service."

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs together still, shuffling his feet under the table. "Mean ... if is something that is -really- precious ..." He tilts his head. "Why would not want to give everything to protect and serve?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Is no different than how bet feel about Serenwilde, yes? Would die for and defend if threatened or insulted?"

You have emoted: Lief contemplates Gurashi's question. "'Everything,'" she echoes him after a moment of silence. "I can think of many things I would not give up. My life is one thing I would - but I would die free, without regret for how I'd lived."

Gurashi stares at you blinking, obviously confused.

Squinting, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...do not see how is so different."

You have emoted: Lief cants her antlered head to one side. "You can't think of one single thing you would rather never do, if you could help it?"

Gurashi drums his fingers on the table, finally looking more confident. "What we do in shadows, what you do for Moonhart. What we do for homes is exactly same, but for different outcomes. Really makes go wowee."

Softly, you say to Gurashi, "I would never betray anyone I considered a friend."

Showing that he understands, Gurashi nods his head slowly.

You have emoted: "I would never sacrifice someone or something too young or innocent to deserve such death," Lief continues. "I would never."

Gurashi rests his hands on the sides of the chair, looking down thoughtfully.

Softly, you say to Gurashi, "I would never bind someone else to Another's will. I hear the fae plead with me to protect them from Night as I bring them to Mother Moon's light."

Shuffling, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Is because everybody thinks is like, -bad- or is painful for some reason."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Is -safe-. Protects, so we serve. Is incredible, so also protect!"

You have emoted: Lief watches Gurashi steadily, bobbing in the air. "You've never felt in danger at all? Ever? Truthfully, and honestly?"

Gurashi blinks.

Leaning back in his chair, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Well, the spider webs were pretty high, but, did not fall..! And was really beautiful sight..."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Feel danger when am about to fight peoples."

Gurashi pets an ethereal cat ingratiatingly.
An ethereal cat rubs up against Gurashi's legs, a small purr barely audible.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to an ethereal cat, "Good boy."

You have emoted: Lief is silent as she hovers near Gurashi, listening to him, her gray eyes searching Gurashi's own.

Still petting the cat, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Is sort of like trust fall. An all in. Pinky promise. Life is sometimes scary, so must rise to meet and come out stronger in end!"

Gurashi nods his head at you.

You have emoted: Finally, gently, Lief touches her fingertips to her heart. Her antlered head dips to one side, slightly, as her eyes half-lid themselves. "Life *can* be scary sometimes," she says quietly. "It was scary when we'd lost our dear Shashi, and I didn't know whether his eggs were still safe. It was scary when your Lor..." She pauses, then trails off, glancing to one side with a bite of her bottom lip. "A lot is scary," she finally says instead.

Gurashi blinks.

Suddenly perking up, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "When our ... Lord Nocht? What were going to say about?"

Gurashi frowns at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Please, is important."

Shadows swirl around Gurashi's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around his hand.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Am sorry about what happened to Shashi... but would not have happened if had not ...!"

You have emoted: Lief's fingers hook into the fold of her kimono robe, clutching the fabric. She considers for quite some time, only now, she refuses to meet Gurashi's eyes as she contemplates.

Gurashi huffs loudly. "Do not think should go down that road, is dead horse." He sighs. "Am still sorry about."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "But Lady of Serenity is causing lots of hurt, right now."

You have emoted: "She?" Lief quickly looks back at Gurashi. "She is not - She is meditating, and She is remembering. She is not attacking your Lord right now, but tending to us, to Herself and to Her own."

Clasping his hands and leaning forward, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe exclaims to you, "But She -is-!"

Her shoulders drawing back, you ask Gurashi, "Why do you say this?"

Insistently, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Do not know what what that shot with, but was -not very nice-, and is causing much suffering in Him."

Carrying on, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "She took something from Him... She pretended to BE Him to steal that thing... are not kindly, peaceful-y, serenity...y, things..."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Doesn't bother that -did that-?"

You have emoted: Lief's fingers tighten as her wings hum more fiercely for but a moment. "If you knew what He had done to Her," she finally says, "you'd not be bothered, either. This is *not* equal to the pain He has inflicted and all that He has taken."

Stalling, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Well... no!"

Awkwardly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "... do not think is right to hurt friends."

You have emoted: Lief bites the inside of her bottom lip, then lowers her gaze. Her eyes flash with intense, roiling colors, crimsons and burning yellows as she says with tense words, "I am sorry, Gurashi. It *does* bother me. It does. But sometimes, we must weigh every option available to us and take the route that causes least harm."

Gurashi creases his brow in a frown.

Speaking softly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "... is She even sorry...?"

Softer, more thoughtful, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Do the Divine feel guilt about those things like we do...?"

Gurashi's mandibles twitch slightly as he voices a brief, curious chirr.

You have emoted: "Of course She does," Lief says softly, her eyes swimming with radiant colour. When she looks up again, they are watery, from the turquoise of the clean Inner Sea to the violet of impenetrable depths. "Of course She is. She wouldn't have done differently - She couldn't have done differently - but She takes no pleasure in causing harm to others."

Quietly, looking directly into Gurashi's eyes, you say, "She is the Way of the Blossom. She does what She must, as She teaches us to do."

Urgently once more, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe exclaims to you, "If is endangering Lord Nocht, then is endangering Glomdoring! And Glomdoring is all that -have-!"

You have emoted: "I don't think that's true." Lief's voice is choked with sadness as Gurashi's emotions roll over her. "You could have my friendship, too. You could have the Serenwilde. There is a place there for you, a place that is shaped like Gurashi, ready for you."

Gurashi creases his brow in a frown.

Weakly, resigned, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Did not take the other path from the portal, Miss Lief. Found the Glomdoring."

It is now the 3rd of Juliary, 542 years after the Coming of Estarra.

With a whistling laugh, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "... was trying to be friends -anyway-."

Leaning back in his chair, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks, "Did know that Glomdoring has -black roses- ...? Can believe?"

You have emoted: Lief blinks her water-coloured eyes, and dampness wets her lashes as she listens to Gurashi, silent but for her humming wings.

Very quiet, almost curtly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Nobody else has them ... were proof that, even after thought forest was lost to Taint, was proof that something could grow... are so very, -very- beautiful ..."

You have emoted: Lief pulls her lips between her teeth as though to quiet some pang of sorrow threatening to burst forth, then breathes out. She wipes at her eyes with one long sleeve of her kimono robe, then stretches her fingertips out, the motion gentle. She reaches for one of Gurashi's larger arms, to rest her hand there. "Beauty is what's within," she says quietly. "The flowers my Lady paints are so painted because She can see what hides beneath their surfaces...not because She wants to dress them up. You are far more beautiful than the black rose - I can see it."

Gurashi boggles at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe exclaims to you, "Why are upset that is black?!"

Gurashi suddenly rises from the table, holding up his smaller inner hand in a gesture of 'wait here'. With that, he shuffles off towards the doorway, disappearing inside.

Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe has lost you.

The prickling on the back of your neck dissipates as Gurashi departs to the north.

You have emoted: Lief rubs at the back of her neck and hovers here in silence, uncertainly studying her surroundings.

sq nw
A lovely garden of kaleidoscopic colors.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. A sturdy bench crafted of ravenwood and polished to a high sheen stands here. Covered in bone armour, a giant bat hangs here, wings folded about its body and one beady eye open. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. Surrounded by a faint, emerald halo, an ethereal cat romps playfully about the area. A sign suggests you can use STABLE commands here.
A gloomy meadow beyond the ravenwood.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Blocking out the light, a pair of
forestal drapes are closed here.
You can see no further.

You have emoted: Lief squints into the distance - her wings carry her along.

This room has not been mapped.
A lovely garden of kaleidoscopic colors.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Beyond a small gate of rough ravenwood, vines of ivy cascade over a fence, tendrils creeping in every direction. A small stone path is dotted with moss and bits of weeds, parting a great sea of ever-blooming flowers of every type and color. Rolling swaths of prismatic petals sway like ocean waves in a gentle wind. At the heart of this glade is a small, deep spring lined with smooth black stones. On the far bank grows a short, wickedly twisted, ebon-barked willow tree that reaches out over the water, its round, drooping branches and vibrant green leaves barely skimming the surface. Nearly unnoticed beside the willow tree is a small wooden marker and a tiny mound of freshly piled soil. The atmosphere here is crisp, fresh, and quite peaceful, save for the occasional distraction of the bumblebees, dragonflies and cicadas that buzz and wheel through the blossoms. A sturdy bench crafted of ravenwood and polished to a high sheen stands here. Covered in bone armour, a giant bat hangs here, wings folded about its body and one beady eye open. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. Surrounded by a faint, emerald halo, an ethereal cat romps playfully about the area. A sign suggests you can use STABLE commands here.
You see exits leading east, southeast, and northwest.

The back of your neck prickles with the sense of many watching eyes as Gurashi, riding Bizirik, the leothin, enters from the east.
Bizirik stalks in from the east, wings spread as it clicks and thrums softly.

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi stumbles a bit. "Uh ..." He stammers. "Were looking for bathrooms?"

You have emoted: Lief kneels here amongst the flowers, bowed over them, her fingers cradling cheerful little pink bloom. She seems enraptured, until Gurashi's voice breaks her spell. She pulls her antlered head up and releases the flower, which bends toward her for a moment before settling back into place, and looks over her shoulder at Gurashi.

Softly, you say, "I'm sorry. We can return to the patio. I just..." She gestures wordlessly about herself. "I saw these."

As the sun's rays begin to break over the horizon, a slender leothin's amaranthine visage begins to fade back to a soft gray, wings dissolving like mist with the morning light.

Gurashi straightens a bit, placing his hands on his hips. "...well, is our garden, yes." He chitters, looking proud and embarrassed. Not too far off, a variety of animals can be seen wandering about, nibbling freely or resting among the wildflowers.

Gurashi pets an ethereal cat ingratiatingly.
An ethereal cat rubs up against Gurashi's legs, a small purr barely audible.

You have emoted: Lief smiles faintly at Gurashi, but her smile quietly turns adoring back toward the blossoms gathered here. "You tend them well," she murmurs, wings lifting her to carry her, so she can reach out for a dainty pale blue flower instead. "A forget-me-not," she comments with some small delight. "Did you know the willowisp is the fae spirit of these?"

Gurashi shakes his head.

Staying near the door, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Did not know."

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

You have emoted: It, too, leans into Lief's touch before bobbing back in place when she releases it. After a moment, with poorly-masked reluctance, she wings higher above the gardens and nearer to Gurashi. What watery colours filled her gaze before are gone, replaced, instead, by shimmering prismatic hues, a mirror of the garden here. "I'm sorry," she says again.

You begin to follow Gurashi.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "... no. .. is O-K."

Gurashi hesitates at the doorway, looking out over the garden long and hard. Bizirik slithers in before the door into the kitchen is shut, chittering excitedly at you. It pushes past them both, seeking out the sweets stored to the south.

With a great sweep of its tail, Bizirik breaks off to the east.

[Movement]

Gurashi chitters to himself with speedy movement of his mandibles.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Follow me, Bizirik."
Bizirik, the leothin begins to follow closely behind Gurashi.

Bizirik, the leothin idly licks frosting off of its face, the table now one-cupcake less than it was before.

You have emoted: Offering her hand out for Bizirik, the leothin, Lief mostly looks to Gurashi, inquisitiveness in her gaze. "What had you wandered off to do?"

Gurashi looks up, reminded of his task. Before him he lays out a bowl, a wooden spoon, and a small palette of paints. He lays each one out nicely for you to observe. "To show what learned."

Bizirik, the leothin chirrs softly, sniffing your hand before aggressively shoving its face against your fingers, thrumming loudly with joy.

Gurashi exhales a plume of smoke and a bit of flame and nods, his chin rising as if to a challenge.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

You have emoted: Lief allows Bizirik, the leothin's attentions, gently-but-firmly petting her head and rubbing her cheek. Her eyes are still on Gurashi, attentive and curious.

Gurashi begins to methodically open each tube of paint, squirting a generous amount out into the bowl before moving onto the next tube and repeating the process. He sets aside the black and the white, then looks at you, mandibles clicking with excitement. "Are lots of colors, yes?"

Argent moonlight pierces the blue glow of the Flame of dae'Seren upon you, enshrouding you momentarily in a silver mantle.

You have emoted: "Many," Lief agrees with a nod of her antlered head, her eyes skipping over each hue as it stands apart from the others.

Bizirik, the leothin slowly lays down on the ground, a rhythmic thrumming accompanying its breaths like a heartbeat as it is pet.

Gurashi takes the spoon, turning it upside down and sticking the skinny handle into the bowl. "Said, that could see -my- colors. Right?"

Gurashi tilts his head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Lief looks up to Gurashi, curious, but she nods her head again. "Not unlike your garden," she agrees.

Gurashi begins to stir the colors within the bowl, reds folding into oranges into greens and violets. "Do not think that should be so sad that the dark things are bad," He says almost cheerfully, stirring with more vigor. "The beautiful black roses. The amazing-ness of the night sky."

Gurashi watches the paint as he stirs, bit by bit each unique color swallowed up by folds of brown-gray nothing, then slowly, darker, and darker still, until just a shade off of true black. "They are all of the colors." He whispers, looking pleased.

Gurashi takes the end of the handle and slaps it against his chest, the pain leaving a wet spot on the carapace. The colors are nearly the same. "See! Look!"

You have emoted: Lief watches as Gurashi stirs, her easygoing air fading with each circuit around the bowl. She stares in silence at the void-like blackness, her lips parting, her brow drawing together. "You would mix all of yourself together like this until you're unrecognizable?" she whispers.

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

Dropping the spoon in his disbelief, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "What!"

Gurashi makes a sound like laughter, then confusion. "What? Is not what was trying to make...!"

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

Shadows swirl around Gurashi's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around his hand.

You have emoted: Lief lifts her hair from her brow, showing a translucent crystal bindi fully. It faintly glows, painting her forehead with threads of every hue. "This is all of the colours," she insists. "You can see every one. And when something passes through - the light, the sun, a candle - it shifts and changes and adapts to all that's around it. This is what you're like - you aren't like...like..."

You have emoted: Lief gestures helplessly at the bowl of black paint with her other hand.

Gurashi stares at you, looking positively heartbroken. "...but ... how can think is bad....?"

Gurashi looks at the bindi, then back at you, frowning. "Is beautiful ... is amazing..." He looks at the bowl, increasingly flustered.

Setting the bowl down and sitting with a huff, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Just because is different is not meaning is bad, know."

You have emoted: Lief parts her lips again, then closes them, lowering her hand from her brow. "What you did to your colours in that bowl," she finally says, sorrow once more taking her features, "was violence."

As nightfall steals the last vestiges of daylight, a slender leothin's muted coat begins to shine with a violaceous radiance, and a double pair of wings materializes, grandly extended as if they've been there all along.

Gurashi boggles at you.

Gurashi looks down at the bowl, equally bewildered.

Dumbfounded, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...but ..."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks, "...they are paints?"

Gurashi looks about in confusion.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe whispers, "Do paints feel pain? is that why pain is in name?? Paint?"

You have emoted: Lief hugs her arms to herself, something haunted entering her eyes as she stares at the bowl of black paint, of every colour blended together. "You are not paint, Gurashi. Please don't treat yourself like you treated them."

Gurashi stares at you blinking, obviously confused.

Confused, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "....are ... what? Are O-K? Look kind of like are gonna puke. Can get some water?"

You have emoted: Lief lifts her gaze from the bowl to Gurashi's carapace, where the black had been slapped in place, then to Gurashi's eyes themselves. "I have a lot to think about, Gurashi," she says quietly, almost inaudibly. "We will talk again. If that is agreeable?"

Gurashi creases his brow in a frown.

Gurashi looks back down at the bowl, stricken with confusion. "...oh,uhm - sure."

Almost an afterthought, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Please take some food with."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "...ehm, many apologies - is compulsion, heh."

Gurashi doesn't move from his spot, still looking hurt and confused.

You have emoted: Lief turns to search the tabletop for something, then selects an iridescent peacock cookie, her fingertips lingering against it before she lifts it from its place. "Thank you," she murmurs, more to the baked good than to the kephera.

You pick up an iridescent peacock cookie.

Gurashi leans back in his chair, then slowly rises. "...let me see out," He mutters as politely as he can.

You follow Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe north to A chilling, forestal curiosities room.

Gurashi bows his head to the transportation circle upon the floor. He keeps near the doorway once xagain, twiddling.

You have emoted: Lief bows her antlered head toward Gurashi, then touches her fingertips to her brow before shaking herself from her thoughts. "Thank you," she calls again to Gurashi before taking the circle.